Land Conservancy plans workdays at 3 separate sites

WOODSTOCK – The Land Conservancy of McHenry County has three volunteer events planned the week of Dec. 9.

Volunteers are needed to help cut and stack brush to help restore these natural gems:

• Waichunas Conservation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today: This woodland near Island Lake was cleared of invasive brush a couple of years ago, but it’s time to go back and get all the resprouting brush and new growth. To get there from the intersection of River Road and Dowell Road north of Island Lake, turn onto Dowell and then right onto South Thomas Court. Volunteers should park along South Thomas Court, and the group will walk in from there.

• Prairie Ridge Fen Conservation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday: This 9-acre wetland was protected in 1996 as part of the adjacent Prairie Ridge subdivision in Woodstock.

Interesting species found there include a grove of scarlet oaks and a small cluster of bog birch. The area is on the northeast corner of Route 14 and Dean Street in Woodstock. Volunteers should park along Wagner Lane.

• Dutch Creek Conservation Area, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday: More than 3,000 volunteer hours have been donated since 2008 to restore the oak groves and wetland areas along one of the highest-quality streams in McHenry County.

More than 100 acres have been permanently preserved in this location by the village of Johnsburg, TLC and the McHenry County Conservation District. To get there from the intersection of Route 31 and Johnsburg Road, head east on Johnsburg Road, and take the second left onto Riverside Drive.

Follow Riverside back about one-half mile and look for other cars. Volunteers should park along the road.

No experience is necessary. Tools will be provided. Volunteers should wear work shoes and clothes that they don’t mind getting dirty.

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County is a local nonprofit organization that works with landowners and communities to preserve and restore natural, scenic and agricultural land for the benefit of current and future generations. TLC is supported by members, donors and fundraising events.